Tampa Bay Rays vice president and assistant general manager Carlos Rodriguez is leaving the team after 15 years to "pursue new challenges and opportunities, both within and outside of baseball." The Rays, who are now under new ownership, secured three AL East division titles and five postseason berths during his tenure. "While it's difficult to step away, I'm excited to see what the future holds and confident the organization is in great hands moving forward," Rodriguez said.
Dr. Jane Goodall, a conservation icon known for her research on primates, died today at 91. During the 1960s, she spent time at Gombe National Park in Tanzania, Africa studying chimpanzees and their behavior. Goodall most recently visited St. Petersburg during a speaking tour last September.
Tampa-based Smith & Associates Real Estate has sold all 31 units at The Nolen, a boutique condominium tower near St. Petersburg's Beach Drive. DDA Development completed construction on the luxury residential building in July. Principal Bowen Arnold said St. Pete has "evolved into a city with European flair thanks to its dynamic mix of cafes, culture, dining, green space and walkability," and believes The Nolen reflects that transformation.
Florida students annually miss out on $300 million for college by not completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application, which provides access to grants, work-study programs, scholarships and loans, opened Wednesday and closes May 15. Each high school in Pinellas County is now hosting "FAFSA Night" events to help families complete the process. To view a schedule, visit the website here.
BayCare Health System and Florida Blue have signed a multi-year agreement, effective today, to continue insurance coverage for all of BayCare’s 16 hospitals, its ambulatory network and multi-specialty physician group. This comes after a contract dispute. A majority of Florida Blue customers will not have any “interruption in service” with the agreement. “Negotiations can be challenging; especially as both parties advocate for those we serve,” said BayCare president and CEO Stephanie Conners in a prepared statement.
The Tampa Bay Rays have announced that an ownership group led by Jacksonville-based developer Patrick Zalupski closed on the purchase of the team Tuesday afternoon. The Rays did not confirm the previously reported $1.7 billion sales price. The deal includes the Tampa Bay Rowdies and, according to the announcement, a "robust group of limited partners with deep connections to the Tampa Bay region will join the overall ownership team and be announced in the near future."
Northern Trust Builders broke ground on a $4.7 million project that will bring 17 townhome-style apartments to a once-vacant property near the intersection of 1st Ave and 34th Street South. The developer bought the land for $255,000 in August 2024. Each two-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom unit encompassing roughly 2,400 square feet will rent for around $5,000 a month.
St. Petersburg Fire Rescue is welcoming residents to tour their local station and meet first responders at the department's annual Open House event. Stations citywide will open their doors for an interactive and educational experience Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon. Fire Rescue will provide hands-on demonstrations and serve light refreshments.
St. Petersburg-based Climate First Bank has selected investment firm Piper Sandler to explore a planned initial public offering (IPO) in 2026 or 2027. The environmentally-focused community bank surpassed $1.3 billion in assets earlier this year and launched a $100 million capital raise in April 2024. A public listing would help Climate First achieve its ambitious goal of reaching $10 billion in assets by 2031.
St. Petersburg-based BayFirst Bank will sell its Small Business Administration 7(a) loans for $103 million, about 97% of the combined unpaid principal balance, and exit the business. South Florida-based bank Banesco USA will also acquire the servicing rights for the purchased loans. BayFirst, one of the nation's most prolific SBA lenders, encountered a sharp rise in payment delinquencies and defaults earlier this year.
A woman died after being run over by a Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) bus Saturday night in the Clearwater Mall parking lot. Clearwater police said Sunday morning that the woman tried to get the driver's attention by "banging on the side of the bus" as it pulled away from a stop, then lost her footing and fell underneath the rear wheel well. Angela Wymer, 39, was pronounced dead at the scene, and authorities have yet to release any additional information.
The Clearwater Ferry, which currently transports residents and visitors from downtown to the beach, will expand to Dunedin starting Oct. 9. The service will run from Thursday to Sunday, and tickets cost $8 for a one-way trip or $4 for seniors and passengers with disabilities. Hurricane Helene impeded previous plans for the Dunedin stop.
